Pneumatic-action for musical instruments.



i m ml N.0.;894,5fl6. I PATENTE D JULY 28, 1908.

. E. A; STEEL.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14.11907.

-"YW I IJVEW'TUH W06 EDWARD JTE.

EDWA RI) A.STEEL,

or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, Assieuon To run FARRAND ooMrANr, or

DETROIT, MIOHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

PNEUMATIC-ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

no. ceases.

, To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, EDWARD A. STEEL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residinat Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State ofMichigan, haveinverlted certain new and useful Improvements inPneumatic-Actions for Instruments, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to pneumatic actions for self-playing musicalinstruments, and more particularly to that type known as metallicactions.

The invention consists in certain features of construction ashereinafter set forth.

In the drawingsFigure l is a vertical sec tion partly in crosssection ofa'portion of the action; and Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the metallicwind chest.

In the constructions of metallic actions for self-playing pianos, it is'of the utmost importance to arrange the parts as compactly as possible,so as to avoid increasing the size of the outer case. With metallicactions heretofore constructed, it has been usual to form a metallicwind chest, which is arranged in a vertical plane, near the front of thecase, with the power pneumatics ar-' ranged in rear thereof, and theprimary and secondary pneumatics at the front. This requires a depth ofcase equal to the length of.

the power pneumatics plus the thickness of the wind chest and the spacenecessary for their primary and secondary pouches. With the presentconstruction, I have condensed the arrangement of parts and diminishedthe total width of the action by substituting for the single metallicchest a tubular chest and by arranging the power pneumatics to extendbetween the tubes.

As shown A are the power pneumatics, Each of these is provided with ametallic plate B, which has struck up therefrom a portion constitutingthe valve cell controlling the said pneumatics. Projecting laterallyfrom this cell O is a tubular shank D which at its outer end is threadedat E for engagement with the cell F of the sedondary pneumatic. threadednipple G for engaging the shank and is formed of two cupped disks an I,having peripheral flanges J for securing them together- K is a acrossthe memberl, and having a disk L" 1 Specification of Letters Patent.Application filed September 14, 1907. Serial No. 392,917.

This cell has an internally Patented July 28, 1908.

thereon, for bearing against the valve rod M for the valve N in the cellC.

O is an extension of the member I, which is transversely apertured forreceiving the sleeve P, which is apertured for communication with thechamber in the extension 0. This sleeve P is threaded for engagementwith the cell Q for the primary pneumatic,

which is similar in construction to the secondary pneumatic cellF,- andis provided with a diaphragm R for operating the stem T of the primaryvalve. The arrangement is such that the primary, secondary and powerpneumatics are all mechanically, connected to each other.

The wind chest to which the pneumatics are connected comprises a seriesof parallel horizontally extending tubes S, whlch are. spaced from eachother, and at their ends are connected with headers U. Thesetubes S havealined apertures V in the front and rear walls thereor through which(the tubular shanks D may be passed, said shanks having apertures D.therein through which air com: municationis established with the tube S.Thevalve cell C is arranged on one side of the tube S, and the cell Ffor the secondary pneue matic is upon the opposite while the powerpneumatic A neath the tube. Thus the total width of the action is lessthan where the power pneumatics are arranged upon one side of the chest,and furthermore the width of the side of said tube,

extends bechest may be increased without increasing,

the total width of the action.

WhatI claim as my invention is: 1. A pneumatic action oomprisin ametallic wind chest consistingof aralle spaced tubes and a connectingend eader, power pneumatics extending between said tubes and projlectingvalve celvs connected with said ower pneumatics, and projecting upwardtiierefrom beside said tubes, tubular shanks on said valve cellsextending through said tubes and communicating with the interior thereofand valve olperating pneumatics connected with said s anks upon theopposite side of said. tubes.

"2. A pneumatic action comprising a 'metallic wind chestconsisting of aplurality of arallel spaced tubes, of a connecting end eader, said tubesbeing provided w'thalined power neumatics extending betwppn said tubesand projecting beyond one sidiefthereofv apertures in the front andrearwalls thereof, flexible diaphragm extending beyond one side thereof,w

shanks ro'ectin lateral T from saidvalve P J g 3 havlng valve cellsprojecting upward there- 1 In testimony whereof I affix 'mv s frommtermedlate the ends thereof, tubular 1n preseime of two mtnessss.

v- ETF/V C -13D cells and extendlng through sald'ahned spew tures in thetubes of the chest, and pneu- Witnesses:

matics connected with said shanks upon the NELLIE .TDIINER oppositesides of said tubes from said. cells. JAMES P. B

